Cajun Classic Horse Show to showcase Racking horse events
Published 2:14 pm Thursday, September 1, 2022
- Marcus Lemoine, above, said Racking horse events are becoming popular all over the world. (Special to the American Press)
The first-ever horse and horsemanship show of its kind in Southwest Louisiana is happening this weekend in Sulphur. The Cajun Classic Horse Show is Friday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 3 at the West Cal Arena, 2900 Ruth St. Gates open at 2 p.m. on Friday. A meet and greet is planned for 5 p.m. On Saturday, gates open at 10 a.m.
The event is Horse Owner/Trainer Marcus Lemoine’s way of introducing this area to racking horses, a show event that he and his family has participated in and enjoyed for sometime in other states, mainly Tennessee.
“Racking horse events are becoming popular all over the world, really,” Lemoine said. “I know racking horse owners from Israel and recently met one from Germany.”
The rack is a smooth, four-beat gait. Only one foot strikes the ground at a time.
“It’s a pleasure ride, very smooth with speeds from 15 to 30 mph,” Lemoine said.
Increasing the horse’s speed while maintaining the four-beat gait is an art for man and beast and delightful to see, thus the appeal of a racking show. Judges will determine winners of different events based on horse and rider. Divisions are generally by age of horses and riders. A racking horse has little to no head shake and a tuck rather than a flip motion of the front feet. Riders should demonstrate a good seat on a relaxed horse.
“Different horses, like people, are born with different talents. Some are flashy. Some catch on slowly and some quickly. Some run faster than others,” Lemoine said.
His racking horse, She’s Awaken, is a 4-year-old from Summerville, Tenn., and he’s had her since she was 19 months old.
“These last few years have been crazy for everyone in Southwest Louisiana and I haven’t shown her as much as I’d like, but she did win the Mare’s Best Gaited Class in a recent show,” he said. “The Cajun Classic Horse Show is a very family-oriented event, and it’s my hope that it becomes a popular annual event.”
Admission is $20 for each day or $40 for a weekend pass. Ten-year-olds and younger get in free. For more information, call (337)526-2561.
